Radisson Blu: Cebu hotel marks 15th anniversary
MANILA, Philippines — It’s a blue Christmas for Radisson Blu Cebu.
But, unlike the sad “Blue Christmas” in Elvis “The King” Presley’s hugely popular holiday song of the same title, the vibes in the Cebu premier business hotel are celebratory and festive, befitting the year’s most joyous season.
The 9.8-meter (32-foot) blue and silver Christmas tree, centerpiece of the Radisson Blu lobby, is not only a traditional symbol of the holidays but is like a championship blue ribbon marking an important milestone. It is the 15th year of the hotel, a partnership between the Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) and SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC). The latter is a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings.
READ: Boosting tourism: Exploring the MICE sector in the Philippines
Appropriately, the theme of the festivities was “Shining Through,” inspired by the brilliance, resilience, enduring strength and clarity of crystal —the traditional symbol for the 15th anniversary.
The recent lighting of the almost floor-to-ceiling tree was an occasion not only to celebrate past achievements, but also an opportunity to talk about the future and reaffirm Radisson’s commitment to its host city and the country, in general.
Ramzy Fenianos, RHG chief development officer for the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region, said the 15-year presence of Radisson in the country was an affirmation of the brand’s commitment to the Philippines and Filipinos. The brand now has 18 establishments in the country.
Peggy Angeles, SMHCC executive vice president, said the chain that had established itself in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and had now become a recognized name in the Apac region, was growing with most of SM Prime brands.
MICE market
Radisson Blu, Angeles said, had become a leading hotel in Cebu, particularly in terms of catering to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) participants who represent a substantial sector of the tourism market.
Ann Olalo, Radisson Blu Cebu general manager, a true-blue (pun intended) Cebuana and one of the handful of women hotel top executives, said the hotel was building a reputation for being engaged in responsible business.
Among its many corporate social responsibility initiatives is a training program for women inmates, intended to enable them have the skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry upon their release from prison.
Angeles said RHG and SMHCC were planning to open more branches as demand for tourist accommodations, particularly MICE facilities, continued to grow. All new developments would be anchored by SM malls, she added.
Fenianos expressed satisfaction with RHG’s partnership with SMHCC, saying that “SM has a great reputation. It is a solid partner that delivers on time and more than what is expected.”
A couple of weeks earlier, Park Inn by Radisson in Clark also marked a milestone as it held its own tree-lighting ceremony. Anchored by the SM mall, Clark’s Park Inn by Radisson was also boosting the attractiveness of the former United States Air Force base as a MICE destination.
Elizabeth Sy, SMHCC president and chair, said the event was a celebration of hope, unity and gratitude. It was also an occasion to help the less fortunate.
Olalo worked at Clark’s Park Inn, which now has Lorenzo Tang as general manager, before being asked to head Radisson Blu in her native Cebu.
Accolades
In its 15 years in Cebu, Radisson Blu has established a reputation for exceptional hospitality and meaningful partnerships. The hotel has become a premier destination for MICE events and a popular venue for marking special occasions.
READ: Radisson Blu Cebu Receives 2023 Operational Excellence Award
It hosted the 2017 Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit and was twice named RHG’s Hotel of the Year in the Asia-Pacific. It also received the Operational Excellence Award in 2023 and 2024 for the highest standards of service, guest satisfaction and brand integrity.
Travel+Leisure Asia Pacific magazine named it among the 2024 Top 10 Best City Hotels in the Philippines.
As part of this year’s celebration of Christmas and its crystal anniversary, Radisson Blu Clark hosted an elegant Crystal Gala Dinner and a short Christmas Concert directed by Nestor Jardin, former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The show featured performances by tenor Arman Ferrer, soprano Sheila Valderrama, Cebu Normal University Chorale, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines and Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra.
On its 15th year, Radisson Blu Cebu continues to be a symbol of elegance, excellence and outstanding service. (Contributed)
